By Beth Christian Broschart
The Parsons Advocate
HAMBLETON – Tucker County FFA Advisor Terry Hauser asked Tucker County Commissioners to help support his club on their journey to attend the National FFA Convention and Expo. Hauser told Commission members the club would leave on Oct. 27 and return on Nov. 1.
“We are here to ask for some help for us to attend the National FFA Convention,” Terry Hauser said. “You all have shared with us the past two years, and I asked Mr. Moore a few weeks ago if we should request it again because you have been so gracious to us. We certainly don’t want to ask for help at the expense of other groups that have good projects going on as well.”
Hauser said he was not aware of the Commission’s budget, but said his club would like to be considered for funding if money is available.
Lyndsey Knotts, President of the Tucker County FFA, said this will be her third year attending the FFA National Convention.
“It has been a great honor for me to attend the National FFA Convention,” Knotts said. “Attending it has made we want to take my FFA career a step farther and run for state office. I am completing the paperwork and hope to follow in Andrew’s (Hauser) footsteps. I love going because there are inspiration speakers and I love to listen to them. They make you think and you leave each session with a different thought in your mind.”
Lydia Mullenax, Secretary of the Tucker County FFA, said she appreciates the Tucker County Commission’s support for trips to the FFA National Convention.
“With your support last year and in past years, we have been able to go down to the National Convention,” Mullenax said. “It really has been a pleasure to go down. Like Lyndsey said, it is very inspirational. You go down there and you learn something new and you bring it back to the community and your local FFA Chapter. That inspires others to learn and grow.”
Mullenax said the sessions at National Convention offer many things.
“We learn about leadership, service and public speaking,” Mullenax said. “It helps us when we grow older. It is just a wonderful experience.”
Abby Bowley, Reporter for the Tucker County FFA, said this year will be her first time attending the National FFA Convention.
“I am looking forward to this experience,” Bowley said.
Tucker County FFA Vice president Cheyenne Phillips said last year was her first year attending the FFA National Convention.
“I got to experience things I would never have experienced,” Phillips said. “As a whole, it made our chapter grow a lot closer when we came back.”
Tucker County FFA Sentinel Jacob Hauser said last year was his first time attending the FFA National Convention, too.
“Attending National Convention is a great experience,” Jacob Hauser said. “When I walked into the Expo Center, I was shocked to see more than 1,000 folks in blue jackets. One of the neat things we do is try to meet someone from every other state while we are down there.”
Jacob Hauser said one thing he learned last year is that folks from other states are not much different than us.
“They have the same projects and the same problems. They are just like us.”
Terry Hauser said he has seen lots of individual growth among the Tucker County FFA members.
“We were almost completely unrecognized several years ago,” Terry Hauser said. “Now we are kind of looked at as one of the more premier Chapters in the state. I am not here to toot my own horn. Without the financial assistance of the whole community, we could not do what we do.”
Terry Hauser said he advised those with access to RFD Television to watch the FFA National Convention.
“It will be televised,” he said. “You can see for yourself what this organization does for youth. There are folks who pour out their support because of what FFA did for them in their lives.”
He said this is the third year he will be taking Tucker County FFA Students to the National Convention.
Tucker County Commissioner Diane Hinkle said the club had been very successful in its fundraising efforts.
“Your total budget is $7,264 and you have raised $6,031,” Hinkle said. “You are to be commended for that.”
Tucker County Commissioners agreed to pay the $65 per student registration fee for 15 students making the trip, as well as pay for parking. The total from the Commission is $1,100.
Commissioner Patrick Darlington asked FFA members if they would come back to another Commission meeting and give a presentation on how the National Convention went and what was learned.
“We come back with so much to share,” Terry Hauser said.
The FFA National Convention is Oct. 28 to Oct. 31 in Louisville, Ky. Guest speakers for the event includes Dr. Rick Rigsby, Amberley Snyder and Brad Montague.